When we say coloured, we mean that certain frequencies are emphasised or favoured over others.

Transparency is often difficult to judge especially when most people perceive the greatest detail through treble and a headphone that emphasises treble can easily be mistaken to be a more detailed or transparent headphone.

The Momentum for example is a very resolving headphone but has quite early treble roll-off which can give the impression of a lack of transparency, but it's all there, I guarantee.

I'm very curious to try the Kef M500 now after reading your reviews ( MH & Beagle) but after reading other online impressions it seems to be a mix in the perception of the sound signature. Some say they are bass light and some say they are bass heavy. I'm looking for a balanced sound 8^) . Who to believe without trying them ? Headphone Bar got them at a good price including shipping. Might give them a try.

I'm very curious to try the Kef M500 now after reading your reviews ( MH & Beagle) but after reading other online impressions it seems to be a mix in the perception of the sound signature. Some say they are bass light and some say they are bass heavy. I'm looking for a balanced sound 8^) . Who to believe without trying them ? Headphone Bar got them at a good price including shipping. Might give them a try.

So if half the folks say they are bass heavy and the other half say they are bass lite, then I would say they are bass neutral.

Thanks man. But really my good friend David's review was spectacular and one of the very best I've ever seen. This pales in comparison and is just documents my search for a good pair of portable headphones as a result of my 41 year old ears not working well with IEMs anymore and some major home renovations that made me put my main dynamic/stat headphone rigs away for the summer.

Pete,

I'll relieve you of your stat rigs any time, you just say the magic words . I have a cousin in Toronto and I'll use him as an excuse to come by (regardless of how far you are from Toronto).

Very well done comparison, I've been eyeing the Kef M500 for quite awhile as a replacement for my Amperiors (which I'm not totally satisfied with sound-wise). Have you had the chance to listen to the Amperiors or HD25 1-II's? How would you compare them to the KEF's?

I'm concerned about the scales used, especially in the area of sound quality. If the KEF has the highest rating (5=excellent) in your opinion, does it mean that no other current or new headphones is better?

I'm concerned about the scales used, especially in the area of sound quality. If the KEF has the highest rating (5=excellent) in your opinion, does it mean that no other current or new headphones is better?

From what I understand the ratings are in the context of "Fashionable Portable Closed-Back" headphones only - and only in the context of the headphones being reviewed and their price/value is taken into consideration - which is probably why Ultrasone Edition 8 isn't in this review.